Legend of Antalasia

Chapter 14

One evening, Antalasia approached Angelo. "Angelo, Lydia said something important when I first arrived at the camp. She said that everyone was too weak to run away. Let's build up their strength."

Angelo pondered for a while and argued, "Princess, this is almost an impossible task without nutritious food."

Antalasia said quietly, "Almost Impossible."

Angelo looked lost as he had no idea what the princess was saying. When Antalasia did not elaborate, he asked, "What?"

Antalasia replied stoically, "You said 'Almost Impossible' not 'Impossible'. Let's get to it."

Angelo stared at her. It was mindboggling as to how the princess accepted issues and continued to trudge forward as though they didn't exist. Angelo wondered if her optimism would lead them to their death or if they would be able to pull off the greatest escape in history?

That evening, after dusk had set in, just when the old woman began her song, Antalasia got up and stopped her from continuing further, immediately bringing everyone's attention on her. 

Mindful that the winds would carry voices far and wide, Antalasia said quietly, "The time is flying. Half a year has already passed since I was captured. It has been even longer for many of you. We have faced many hardships and it's time we escaped from here. Let's make a move now. Join me."

Someone shouted from the crowd, "Why should we trust you? You are King Charles' daughter." The rest of the crowd hooted.

Angelo clenched his jaw in irritation. With great restraint, remembering his promise to Antalasia to not interfere, he held himself back. With his arms folded and his hands clenching his elbows so tightly that his palms turned white, Angelo watched the discussion.

Observing carefully, Michaelo tried his best to mimic Angelo - his stance, posture and expression.

Antalasia replied calmly, "Yes, I am King Charles's daughter. My father has always done what he thought would protect the kingdom. I now promise you, that I will do whatever it takes to get out of here. You owe it to yourself to get out of here. You owe it to your families, friends, and tribe. Come, join me and let's escape together."

Lydia said adamantly, "What's the plan? Do you even have one? Besides, how do we know that you won't abandon us and escape alone?"

Antalasia said firmly, "You don't."

After a minute of quiet silence, Antalasia continued, "You don't know if I'll betray you. I'm no magician nor is there a seer here who can predict the future to provide you that assurance. All I can do is promise you. I will not rest until all of us escape. I swear on the dragons."

Majority of the prisoners were mollified. However, Lydia badgered, "Do you have a plan?"

Antalasia looked at Lydia, straight into her eyes and said, "I don't. Not yet. However, until we get an opportunity to escape, we prepare. We store food and build up stamina. We work with each other and practice hand-to-hand combat should it be needed in future. Whatever we do, we do it together. Are you with me?"

A resounding yes reverberated through the camp.

"Long live," shouted Antalasia.

"Dragon Kingdom," everyone echoed.

Antalasia shouted again, "Long live."

"Dragon Kingdom," shouted all the prisoners.

"What's going on here? Why are you making so much noise? Do you need more work? Hah?" shouted a guard.

Everyone shuffled and settled down, hopeful to see what the days ahead would bring.

Two months passed and all the prisoners continued to prepare for the Great Escape. They stored the bread as long as they could. Every night, after the guards went to bed, the prisoners practiced self-defense and worked to build up their stamina.

At dawn, before anyone woke up, Angelo and Antalasia would sit and hash out ideas to come up with a plan. However, nothing came of it.

"Gosh, this is so frustrating," grumbled Antalasia.

"Yes. I've tried running in all directions. They always catch us. The dragon-horse Rhazaqats are simply too fast," said Angelo despondently.

"I know we discussed that there aren't enough Dragon-Rhazaqats for us to escape. How about we take them along? That way, the guards can't use them to catch us," suggested Antalasia.

"Those creatures have only softened up a bit towards us. I simply don't think we have time to coax them more," said Angelo.

"Why, Angelo? Why don't we have time? You have refused to divulge your concerns no matter how much I ask you. It's time you told me," said Antalasia sternly.

With a troubled frown and fear reflecting in his eyes, Angelo said quietly, "It's cooling down faster than I expected. They will return and we will have no chance to escape. We will end up suffering through winter. If you thought summer was harsh, then you are in for a rude awakening. Winter is worse."

"Who are they, Angelo?" asked Antalasia perceptively.

Angelo began scratching his arms and neck. His breathing grew harsh and eyes began darting all over the horizon. Rubbing his rough palms over his legs, Angelo expelled a loud breath.

In a grave and somber tone, which was very unusual to Angelo, he said, "You don't get it. These guards are not cruel. They do what they do because they don't want to be in our place. But the ones who will come when the weather cools down are cruel. They revel in it. The horrors that they will show us are unspeakable. We will suffer. Most of us will die and just as it's getting warm, they'll capture more prisoners. We have to escape now before they come. We have to Princess."

Seeing Angelo so agitated, threw Antalasia off balance. Never did Antalasia think, that she would see fear in Angelo's eyes. 

"Alright Angelo, calm down. We'll escape before it cools down," consoled Antalasia. Deep inside though, her sixth sense screamed that something wrong going to happen.

Wanting to snap Angelo out of his somber mood, Antalasia tried to change the topic. "Angelo, what happens in those sheds? Lizzy complains that she can hear loud moans. Why is that?"

This only agitated Angelo even more and he said, "It doesn't matter. It's not our concern. Don't worry about it."

Before Antalasia could quiz further the guard came up to the field and shouted, "Wake up. Time to get to work. Move it."

Concerned that they still hadn't figured out how to evade the Centi-Rhazaqats, Antalasia began her daily routine. She also realized that the prisoners were becoming agitated. Having prepped every day, the prisoners now wanted to get away sooner and a desperate longing filled them. Antalasia realized that if something wasn't done soon, then the prisoners would take it on themselves to escape which could lead to disastrous consequences. Antalasia was well aware that should the guards catch any escapees then, the guards would make an example out of the runaways and the horrors that they would experience was unthinkable.

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